Supporting Climate Adaptation

Improving society’s ability to adapt to a changing climate

As the risks from a warming world intensify, so will the consequences
for people and the environment - from disruptions in water, food, and
energy supplies, to damage and loss caused by rising sea levels and
extreme weather events. While DSM is actively committed to reducing
greenhouse gas emissions to fight the cause of the problem, the
adverse effects of changing weather patterns are manifesting
themselves. In short, we have a responsibility to act: not only on
“climate mitigation” (reducing and stabilizing greenhouse gasses) but
also on “climate adaptation” (improving society’s ability to adapt to
climate effects).

Climate change as a risk multiplier

Extreme weather conditions such as floods, heavy rainfall, droughts and storms will increase in future decades, putting the most vulnerable at extreme risk. As such, climate change can put progress across various Sustainable Development Goals in danger.

In 2015, the World Bank released a study that warned if left unchecked, climate disruptions could push more than 100 million additional people back into poverty by 2030. In 2016, the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) estimated that the cost of adapting to climate change in developing countries could rise to between $280 and $500 billion per year by 2050. Finally, a 2017 study from the World Food Programme projects the number of malnourished children to increase by 24 million in 2050 as a direct consequence of climate change.

Our response

We have solutions and efforts aimed at supporting societies – both in the developed and developing world – in adapting to the adverse effects of climate change:

Innovating to prevent a further increase of food loss

With higher temperatures, additional measures will be needed to avoid food loss in agricultural food production.

Spreading of molds on fruit will worsen as temperatures go up gradually. DSM has developed a solution to prevent early spoilage of fruits after they are harvested, together with our partner Pace International. This solution is the first biocontrol agent of natural origin for the postharvest fruit industry.

DSM and Syngenta have joined forces in an R&D partnership to develop microbial-based agricultural solutions, including bio-controls, bio-pesticides and bio-stimulants. The companies aim to jointly commercialize solutions from their discovery platform. The collaboration aims to accelerate the delivery of a broad spectrum of products based on naturally occurring micro-organisms for pre- and post-harvest application around the world. These organisms can protect crops from pests and diseases, combat resistance and enhance plant productivity and fertility.

Donating resources in response to humanitarian disasters

Several humanitarian crises were - to a significant degree - triggered by extreme weather events such as storms, floods, and droughts. With climate change, such crises will become more frequent and more intense.

In 2017, DSM has responded to the extreme droughts in South Sudan, Northern Nigeria, Somalia and Yemen with an international donation campaign. Employees are encouraged to support the emergency aid programs of the WFP and DSM will double each of their gifts.